318 



A most violent effort to free myself from the 

 heavy task in which I am engaged, and the continual 

 pressure of business, with my journeys between Al- 

 lerton and Liverpool, have so devoured every mo- 

 ment of my time, that day by day has passed on till 

 the conclusion of the year, without my being able 

 to fulfill my wishes. I am now, however, deter- 

 mined to be somewhat more my own master. Since 

 you left Liverpool, I have copied and prepared for 

 the press as much as will compose my two first vo- 

 lumes. The remainder is in great forwardness, and if 

 I enjoy my health for a few months, will I hope be 

 completed. M'Creery begins to print with the new 

 year, and promises to proceed with great rapidity. 

 My arrangements are all made to my satisfaction, 

 and some time in the ensuing year I expect to make 

 my appearance before the public in the pompous 

 shape of four ample quartos. The labour of cor- 

 recting I consider as nothing in comparison with 

 that which I have had in the composition of this 

 work ; and hence, though much remains to be done, 

 I find my mind lighter than it has been in the sur- 

 vey of the long and tedious road that lay before me. 

 You, who have so often engaged in important literary 

 undertakings, will know how to sympathize with a 

 brother author in the enthusiasm of his pursuit, the 

 apprehensions of disappointment, the lassitude of 

 fatigue, and the cheering prospect of success, and 

 will easily perceive that as the barometer rises or 

 falls through these degrees, it constitutes the foul 

 or fair weather of human life. 



If you will take the trouble to desire any friend of 



